Cap feeding and applying apparatus



Oct. 3, 1950 H. H. FRANZ 5 5 CAP FEEDING AND APPLYING APPARATUS FiledOct. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1950 FRANZ 2,524,594

CAP FEEDING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2FIG. 2.

INVENTOR. :HENRY 2H; FR

ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1950 H. H. FRANZ 2,524,594

CAP FEEDING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet si lilil'il'il il'e VII Pls. s,

.III 555 52 5a Z8 1,," i 29 \\\\wmmiiziii""" {I I, 54 2O 3! EENRY H Q LTQFMK ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1950 NZ 2,524,594

CAP FEEDING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4-J FIG. &.

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i f 4/ [4| S" 2 I 2s A i 29 Q l 22 j I c, f; 20 3| INVENTOR. HEINRY1%.FRENZ wQmT AKLMQ ATTO RN EY Patented Oct. 3, 1950 2,524,594 CAPFEEDING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Henry H. Franz, Baltimore, Md., assignorto The Creamery Package Mfg. Company, Chicago,

Application October 29, 1945, Serial No. 625,254

The invention relates to improvements in devices for closing portablereceptacles and especially that class which both feeds and applies capsto containers such as milk bottles.

Most devices of this type, commonly called capping heads, consist of acap magazine, a pressing station wherein a plunger presses a cap onto abottle, a traverse slot through which the caps are successively passedfrom the magazine to the pressing station under the action of aninjector plate, and means to reciprocate the injector plate in harmonywith the presentation of the bottles to the pressing station.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide quick andready means of disassembly of the parts for cleaning.

It is a primary specification of all dairy machinery that all partscontacting, or approaching contact with the product, be readilydetachable for cleaning in such a manner that all surfaces be easily andquickly reached with a brush. In prior designs of capping heads,however, the various connections holding the parts together have beenmade by means of machine screws, press fitted pins, and the like,requiring tools and tedious mechanical work to effect their detachment.The present invention incorporates novel means of assembly, in that theinteriorly-placed parts are engaged in open-ended or hookedrelationship, and the exterior members are retained by a relatively fewquick-acting hand-released latches, so that when the latter areuncoupled, the remaining parts are progressively presented forunrestricted detachment.

Another object is to provide a head of greater operating convenience.

In prior designs, the cap platform which forms part of thecap traverseslot, through which the cap passes from the magazine to the pressingstation, is bolted to the frame member which forms the other part of thesaid traverse slot. This precludes ready removal of any of the capswhich occasionally become jammed in the traverse slot, the operatorhaving resort to probing for it with some pick-like instrument. In thepresent inventionythe cap platform is readily detached by merelyuncoupling a hooked and latched connection, thereby fully opening thetraverse slot for ready removal of the jammed cap.

Further, by slanting the cap magazine outwardly, the cap tube in whichthe caps are normally shipped, and which is normally inserted into themagazine by the operator while the machine is in motion, is brought intoa more ac 4 Claims. (01. 226-88.1)

cessible and convenient position for the operator.

A further object is to provide a capping head of simple construction anddependable operating character.

The aforesaid detachable platform obviates any need for the collapsiblepins usually provided within the traverse slot for the facilitation ofthe removal of jammed caps. This, and the fact that the magazine isslanted upwardly and outwardly, allows the lower end of the cap magazineto be placed in closest proximity to the pressing station and shortensappreciably the stroke of the injector plate. As the cap feeding actionis derived from the conversion of the vertical displacement of themagazine body into lateral motion of the injector plate, it follows thata shorter stroke of the injector plate for a given displacement of themagazine body results in a greater effect of the weight of the head incausing the injector plate to feed the cap. As a result of thisfavorable weight stroke relationship, a lesser load may be imposed onthe bottle to feed the caps. Still other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description, taken withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view;

Figure 2 is a front elevation;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation with the head shown in readiness tocap an approaching bottle; and

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the head in the act of applying acap to a bottle.

Referring to the drawings l0 represents a support having spaced sidewalls II, II, and a cross member l2 spanning the space between the wallsand connected thereto at their upper ends.

A cylindrical plunger M, in cross section, is provided with a stem l5which has a sliding fit through the cross member l2 and is held inposition by a latch member or key [6. A collar l! is fixed to the steml5 and interposed between the collar and cross member I 2 is a coilspring l8 for urging the plunger I4 downwardly from the cross member.

A platform 2!] is provided on its upper surface at one end thereof witha headed stud 2! and at its opposite end with a slot 22. Mounted on theplatform is a body portion 24 having a slotted end 25 which surroundsthe stud 2| and which body 24 is held in position by the head of saidstud 2|.

The body 24 is provided with a vertical cylinder 21, the bore of whichextends through the body 24, and is adapted to receive the plunger headI 4. The body 24 is provided with a slot '28 at the end opposite to theslot 25, which registers with the slot 22 in the platform 20. A bolt 29is received in the slots 22 and 28 of the platform and body 24,respectively. The head 30 of the bolt 29 engaging the upper surface ofthe body 24, and a nut 3| on the bolt engaging the lower surface of theplatform 20 for securing the body to the platform.

The platform 26 is provided with an opening 32 therethrough whichregisters with the bore of the cylinder '21, and the lower surface ofthe platform around the opening 32 has a tapered cavity 34 terminatinginwardly in a downwardly facing shoulder 35. The lower face of the body24 and upper surface of the platform 2e are recessed to provide atransverse slot 36, which at the end Where it registers with the opening32 of the platform and bore of the cylinder 27 forms the pressingstation 31 for the cap in applying it to a bottle.

Formed on the body 2 is a cap magazine 38 which has the bore thereofdisposed at a tangent to the platform 20 so that the caps will bedelivered to the slot 36 without jamming, Located in the slot 33 andextending transversely of the body and platform is an injector plate 46,for feeding the caps from the magazine 33 to the pressing station. Theinjector plate is providedwith two upwardly extending flanges M, (iiwhich engage the sides 53 of the body 24 in guiding the injector in itsmovement in the slot 3%.

The cylinder Z? is provided on opposite walls with lugs or guides e5, 65received in vertical grooves 46 formed in the sides ll of the supportill to allow for reciprocating movement of the cylinder within thesupport and relative to the plunger i i, but prevent "any rotarymovement of the cylinder and body 2 3 with respect to the plunger. Abooster spring rig is interposed between theupper end of the cylinder 21and the collar i? for maintaining the cylinder, body and platformdisposed with respect to the collar l1 and the operating end of plungerI l to insure the various parts functioning in a proper manner.

Rocker arms 56, '59 are disposed at each side 43 of the body 25, and arepivoted on studs 5!, 5| formed on the side walls 43. The arms areprovided with holes 52, for the reception of the studs 5i, adjacent theupper outer edges thereof, while at the forward portions elongated slots53 are provided.

Collar if is providedwith oppositely disposed horizontal holes oropenings 55, 55. Links 51, 5'! are provided at their ends withlaterally, extending-studs 58, The studs 58 of the'link El entering theholes 55 of the collar IT, and the studs 59 being received in the slots53 of the rocker arms Each rocker arm 50 is provided on the lower edgewith a slot *5 l, which is located beneath the hole 52 thereof. Theseslots 6| engage studs 62, 52 on the flanges ii of the injector plate id.The links 51 are provided at their upper ends and in alinement with thstuds 58 with recesses E511 formed on the outer faces of the links, forthe reception of the ends of a spring. clip 65 formed somewhat in theshape of a C, for spanning the two links and attaching them to thecollar ll. This spring clip retains the links 51 and rocker arms so inplace, and as the links are disposed exteriorly of the rocker arms theyare retained on their pivots 5!. It is to be noted that the studs 58, 59of the links and studs'6'2 are all in line which eliminates any sidetorque and obtaining a direct thrust or pullon the pins and theirconnecting parts during the movement 4 of the rocker arms. By having thepins or studs in line, and on same side of links there will be notwisting or side torque of the studs in their bearings and therebyeliminating frictional resistance.

The oscillating movement imparted to the rocker arms 50 is arrested bystops or lugs 66 on the sides of the cylinder 21 by the forward edge 6'!of the rocker arms contacting the stops, Figure 3, and this arrests theinjector plate 40 in delivering a cap to the pressing station 31.

It will be appreciated that the links 51 may be detached from the collarll upon removal of the spring clip 6-5, and thereupon the links can bedisengaged from the rocker arms 55, upon withdrawing the studs 59 fromthe slots 53. The rocker arms 59 can now be removed from their studs 5!on the body, and removed from the studs 62 on the injector plate 40through the slots 6! therein. The platform 2i may now, if it has notbeen removed before, be disconnected from the body 2 5 by removing thebolt 29 and nut 3|, and then sliding the platform with respect to thebody to remove the stud. 2i from the slot 25 of the body. This releasesthe injector plate, and all of the parts are disassembled. The plungerhi may be detached from the support by removing the key [6.

The body 24, with the attached studs 45, El and 56, the rocker arms 50,the injector plate 40 with the attached studs 62, the cap platform 20with the attached stud 2!, the spherical headed screw 29 and the nut 35comprise a cap feeding assembly which acts as a whole in reciprocatingvertically on the cap plunger l4 and is supported in rest position, asin Figure 3, by the engagement of the upper walls of the slots 53 withthe studs 59 of the connecting links 51. In this position the capplunger M is in relatively retracted position from the cap in thepressing station, the rocker arms have their facing edges 87 abuttedagainst the studs 66, and the injector plate 40 is in its innermostposition with one edge adjacent the cap in the pressing station. Thelatch member it is seated on the upper face of the fixed support I2.

A vertically advancing bottle 68 (Figure 4), is guided by the taperedwalls of the cavity 34 until the bottle top is seated against theshoulder 35 with the cap seat, in the bottle aligned with the plungerand the pressing station. Further advancement of the bottle results inupward displacement of the aforementioned cap feeding assembly so thatthe bottlenow supports the weight of the assembly and the-connectinglink studs 59 move from theupper'to the lower ends of the are shapedslots 53 in the rocker arms. At this point the pressing static-,1 isapproaching the lower end of the cap plunger. Continued advancement ofthe bottle displaces the cap feeding assembly still further and causesthe rocker arms '53 to rock outward on their pivots 5! thereby movingthe injector plate 4i! out from under the stack of caps, allowing themto come to rest on the lower wall of the traverse slot 36 Simultaneouswith theoutward motion of the injector plate, the'capplunger passesthrough the pressing station, pushing the cap through the hole 32 in thecap platform and into the seat of the bottle. Y

The seating of the cap in the bottle marks the point at which relativemotion between the cap feeding assembly and the cap plunger ceasesduring the upward motionof the bottle. Further upward motion of uthebottle results in equal upward motion. of both cap feeding assembly andcap plunger, the plunger working against the force of the spring it, thelatch member I6 leaving the fixed support a small amount which varies asthe heights of the successive bottles, Figure e.

The cap now being applied, the bottle reverses its direction and startsits departure from the head, allowing the plunger and cap feedingassembly to fall together until th latch member 18 reaches its seat onthe fixed support at which time the cap plunger comes to rest and thecap feeding assembly continues downward with the bottle. The lower endof the cap plunger retracts from the cap seat through the hole 32 andthrough the pressing station after which the connecting link studs 59having moved back up to contact the upper walls of the elongated slots53 in the rocker arms.

Further downward motion of the cap feeding assembly with the bottleresults in inward motion of the injector plate which carries the bottomcap from the stack of caps in the magazine through the traverse slot tothe pressing station.

When the cap reaches the pressing station, the rest position describedat the beginning of the operation is reached and the bottle leavescontact with the head.

The above sequence is repeated for every bottle which is advanced to thehead.

In case of the presentation of a deformed cap, which generally jams inthe traverse slot, it is removed by the following procedure: theoperator loosens the nut M on the screw 29 just enough to allowdetachment of the couple through the aligned slots 22 and 28. The capplatform is then rearwardly detached and the jammed cap is removed, theinjector plate being held up against the body, thereby supporting thestack of caps in the magazine.

To disassemble the head for cleaning, the latch member 16 is extracted,allowing the downward detachment of the head from the fixed support andthe detachment of the spring I 8. The C- shaped member 65 is thenremoved allowing detachment of the connecting links and the plunger andcollar assembly which is made as a single piece not requiringseparation. With the detachment of the screw and the nut couple 29 and3! and the cap platform from the body, the injector plate and operatingarms are freed for detachment.

What I claim is:

1. In a bottle capping mechanism, the combination of a support, aplunger mounted thereon having a collar connected thereto, a body memberhaving a cylinder adapted to be slid over the free end of said plungerand to have sliding movement thereon, rocker arms removably pivoted tosaid body member, an injector plate for delivering caps to said plungerremovably pivoted to said rocker arms, andlinks disposed exteriorly ofsaid rocker arms and having a stud and slot connection therewith, saidlinks having a stud and hole connection with said collar for removablysupporting the body member on said plunger and retaining the rocker armson said body member, and a resilient clip spanning said links fordetachably connecting said links to said collar and rocker arms andmaintaining said rocker arms on said body member and said links on saidcollar.

2. In a bottle capping mechanism, the combination of a support, aplunger mounted thereon having a collar connected thereto, a body memberhaving a cylinder adapted to be slid over the 6 free end of said plungerand to have sliding movement thereon, rocker arms removably pivoted tosaid body member, an injector plate for delivering caps to said plungerremovably pivoted to said rocker arms, and links disposed exteriorly ofsaid rocker arms and having a stud and slot connection therewith, saidlinks having a stud and hole connection with said collar for removablysupporting the body member on said plunger and retaining the rocker armson said body member, and a clip spanning said collar and links fordetachably connecting the links together and maintaining said links onsaid collar and said rocker arms on said body member.

3. In a bottle capping mechanism, the combination of a support, aplunger mounted thereon having a collar connected thereto, said collarhaving oppositely disposed holes in the sides thereof, a body member anda platform, said platform being provided with a headed stud, said bodymember having a slot therein for the reception of said headed stud, saidbody member and said platform having aligned slots, locking meansreceived in said slots for securing the said body member and platformtogether, an injector plate slidable between said body member andplatform and provided with outwardly extending studs, a cylinder and capmagazine formed on said body member, pivot studs disposed on oppositesides of said body member, rocker arms located on opposite sides of saidbody member and loosely pivoted on said pivot studs, said rocker armshaving slots arranged adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof, andthe lower slots receiving said injector plate studs, links having studsdisposed at each end and along one side thereof, each of said linkshaving a, stud thereof received in an upper slot of said rocker arms andhaving a stud thereof received in a hole of said collar, said linksbeing disposed exteriorly of said rocker arms for retaining the rockeron said body member, and a clip spanning said links and havingengagement therewith for connecting said links to said collar andmaintaining said studs of said links in said collar and said rockerarms.

4. In a bottle capping mechanism, the combination of a support, aplunger mounted thereon, a collar connected to said plunger, a platformand a body member mounted thereon, means for detachably connecting thebody member to the platform, a cylinder for the plunger on said body, aninjector plate for delivering caps from the magazine to the plunger,rocker arms pivotally mounted on the body, means for connecting saidrocker arms to said injector plate, links detachably pivoted to saidrocker arms and said collar, and a clip spanning said links and havingthe ends thereof engaging said links for detachably connecting saidlinks to said collar.

HENRY H. FRANZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

